Burning Down the Spouse by Dakota Cassidy Page B

They bring us a ton of business for the early bird special, and I really like Gail and Mona. One hand washes the other, bro. Plus, if I remember reading correctly, Frankie got custody of that little deaf dog, Kiki. Kiki’s cute. She needs to eat.”
    Cosmos pursed his lips. “Does she have any idea what she’s in for? She looks like you could scare the skin right off her bones just by bumping into her. We’re not exactly known for the use of our indoor voices, Nik.”
    Nikos sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I agree we’re probably not like spending a day chanting with Tibetan monks, but if what Max says is true, she’s had all the quiet time she can handle without spiraling into therapy and meds. Maybe chaos will keep her so busy she’ll forget she was dumped by a limp dick like Mitch Bennett. Either way, take it easy on her, would you?”
    “Easy-shmeasy. I need someone to help me, not hinder.”
    “It’ll be fine.”
    “Did you really say ‘rockin’ my socks off ’?”
    “I did.”
    “That was ridiculously lame.”
    Nikos chuckled. “Maybe so, but she’s had a hard time of it, and she does know how to prep food. Max told me she did it for that asshole of an ex-husband of hers. On TV , pal. She’s very organized, something you and Mama could definitely use back there, and she knows her way around a knife.”
    Cosmos barked a laugh. “Oh, don’t I know it. I saw the way she was wielding that Mitch’s spoon like it was a samurai sword. I plan to tread very lightly around her.”
    “Look, if worse comes to worst, I’ll put her on cashier duty. Adara’d love to have some time off to see her friends and shop, okay? Now, don’t you have a slew of chickens to marinate?”
    Cosmos threw a white kitchen towel over his shoulder. “Yeah, yeah. I’m out, but just remember this. I have my reservations about this woman, and if she takes a kitchen knife to my cubes, I’m comin’ for you, brother.”
    Nikos slapped him on the back with a grin. “I take full responsibility for any and all cube dicing.”
    Cosmos visibly shuddered, sweeping past the long row of stools at the counter before disappearing into the kitchen.
    A glance out the window revealed Maxine and Frankie still in the car, heads bobbing, hands waving. Nikos smiled. Frankie was probably giving her shit about the new boss who wanted to exploit her, and Maxine wasn’t taking any. It was clear Frankie didn’t want a job. Not just this job, but any job.
    Couldn’t say as he blamed her. She was right. Her television debut had been some “display” as she’d called it, and he definitely didn’t need some food snob criticizing his diner’s food. Yet, there was something about her he couldn’t pinpoint that made him want to help her, whether she wanted it or not.
    Nikos knew exactly who Frankie Bennett was. He, like a million and two other people, had seen the constant replay of her infamous fit all over the place. He’d also cheered the kind of gutsy fortitude she’d shown when she’d threatened to whip Mitch’s dick to a stiff meringue-y peak with his souped-up mixer.
    Unlike most of America who’d fallen for the bullshit about his wife’s mental instability, Nikos saw Mitch Bennett for what he was—an overblown ego with a penchant for beautiful young women less than half his age.
    Unfortunately, he’d seen that firsthand.
    Right here in his own diner.
    With his best friend’s wife.
    Prick.

     
    Frankie flipped through the pamphlet Maxine left her just before she’d skipped out the door of Gail’s and off to the loving arms of her rich hubby.
    “Messages of hope,” was what the pamphlet proclaimed. Inspirational speeches of the “giving up your Ferrari for a used Yugo didn’t have to suck” variety littered the pages. Phrases like “big girl panties” and “Walmart can be your friend” left her more desolate that she’d been to begin with.
    The words began to spin and blur. Her eyes were grainy from so much